Americans have incorrect assumptions about flossing, dental health

Monday , July 16, 2012 - 5:27 PM

Alexia Elejalde-Ruiz

Pop quiz: How often should you floss?

If you think twice a week sounds about right, you’re like most Americans surveyed in the American Dental Association’s first oral health quiz. And you’d be wrong, as they were, about that and many other dental basics, netting them the lowly grade of “D” on the quiz.

“We’re hoping that this sets the low bar,” said Dr. Ada Cooper, a dentist in New York and an ADA spokeswoman.

The ADA released the survey results alongside the launch of mouthhealthy.org, which aims to bring oral health enlightenment to the masses — from what to do when you crack a tooth to what foods to eat when you have canker sores. You can take a modified version of the quiz on the site.